Him and De Leo have had the same problem in the years past for Portland. They've always been such a stacked team that some of the their (like these two) always had limited roles, then out of nowhere they go on crazy tears like this.

I will say that his kid has some AMAZING hands, which makes space and time for him and his teammates.

Him and De Leo have had the same problem in the years past for Portland. They've always been such a stacked team that some of the their (like these two) always had limited roles, then out of nowhere they go on crazy tears like this.

I will say that his kid has some AMAZING hands, which makes space and time for him and his teammates.

You got to love the talent they get. It's simply astounding how good they seem to collect it.

How many 1st rounders have they had in recent years? Since the 2010 draft they have had 15 drafted players, 5 of them first rounders. For reference they had 18 drafted players in the preceding 10 years (2000-2009).

I've heard comparisons to Eberle in the way he plays offensively. Seems a little premature for 3 games but is there any truth to it?

Watched him last night, will see him live tonight. Didn't do a ton last night.

i disagree to an extent. he's not showing up on the scoresheet but the kid is a ball of energy every single shift. he's also quite adept at gaining the zone and setting up a play.

gaining the line, stopping up and finding the trailer seems to be a talent of his. he's got real nice wheels and a good set of hands too.

portland should be a dominant team this year. they just seem a level above their opponents for the most part - but especially this weekend. i thought they outplayed the pats by a fair margin last night but got some bad luck, and then tonight was a blowout.

i disagree to an extent. he's not showing up on the scoresheet but the kid is a ball of energy every single shift. he's also quite adept at gaining the zone and setting up a play.

gaining the line, stopping up and finding the trailer seems to be a talent of his. he's got real nice wheels and a good set of hands too.

portland should be a dominant team this year. they just seem a level above their opponents for the most part - but especially this weekend. i thought they outplayed the pats by a fair margin last night but got some bad luck, and then tonight was a blowout.

I'm not knocking the kid, just saying that the recent game against Regina wasn't one of his best. Also didn't think he was too amazing last night in Saskatoon. I've definitely seen better from him.

Petan is really starting to find the scoresheet with regularity now. How high do you think this kid could climb? Does his size keep limit him to a middle/late round pick?

CSS had him as a "C" player in their first rankings, but he's gotta be a riser the way he's playing. Love this guy.

Similar player to Leipsic last year. Both undersized, but doesn't hold them back. I think Petan has more skill but Leipsic was grittier and is actually known across the league as being 'crazy' while on the ice. I wouldn't hesitate to say that Petan could end up being drafted in the top 3.5 rounds or so.

Jesus Christ they keep coming in Portland.. The rise of the WinterHawks, will this team ever be bad again ?

They got an insane scouting department, but definitely have been lucky with Nino joining, which made more higher talented players in Bartschi and Bjorkstrand to come over. They also draft some high American players in the later rounds who would only want to play for Portland or in the US division.

They got an insane scouting department, but definitely have been lucky with Nino joining, which made more higher talented players in Bartschi and Bjorkstrand to come over. They also draft some high American players in the later rounds who would only want to play for Portland or in the US division.

I wouldn't say they have an insane scouting department, I just think it's more of the fact that they have a great history of having success with American kids, so they aren't afraid to draft them like most teams still are.

I wouldn't say they have an insane scouting department, I just think it's more of the fact that they have a great history of having success with American kids, so they aren't afraid to draft them like most teams still are.

I wouldn't say they have an insane scouting department, I just think it's more of the fact that they have a great history of having success with American kids, so they aren't afraid to draft them like most teams still are.

I probably was over exaggerating their scouting department, but it is still very good. Though I think we can agree that their winning history makes it easier for them to draft Americans that other teams wouldn't want to draft or demand a trade from (IE Jones from Everett).

He's playing a grinding role and getting grinding minutes so far due to Winterhawks depth. We gotta wait until some players graduation like Rattie and Peters who are getting decent minutes on 5v5 and PP. Though you can see his flashes of skill and stickhandling.

He's playing a grinding role and getting grinding minutes so far due to Winterhawks depth. We gotta wait until some players graduation like Rattie and Peters who are getting decent minutes on 5v5 and PP. Though you can see his flashes of skill and stickhandling.

I would echo these comments. Kid's not a checker, being forced to playing checking minutes due to team depth.